Willard Park Green Corridor

By: Jeremy Kranowitz

257 N. RANDOLPH ST & 252 N. PARKVIEW AVE

Willard Park of Holy Cross-Westminster Civic Alliance, Riley Area Development Corporation and KIB are working together to create an eclectic pocket park between 257 N. Randolph St and 252 N. Parkview Ave. In the neighborhood where the Tribal Trellis Sings (graffiti garden) was born, this eccentric neighborhood and leading CDC are creating a space as imaginative and unique as one would find through Alice’s Looking Glass. A shelter designed as an oversized picnic table, a chess/checker board, art work reflecting the passage of time like on the White Rabbit’s watch, colorful native trees and plants with a pathway of recycled materials leading you through are all elements you may find at this space a year from now.

VISION FOR THE SPACE

With Willard Park to the south along Washington St., and a new bike path along New York Ave. planned for installation this year to the north, and a connector between the two on Randolph, this project is intended to provide access for cross pedestrian traffic within the neighborhood and a place to gather and build community. Willard Park residents are partnering with RADC to fulfill goals set forth in the Near East Side’s Quality of Life plan, and support the investment efforts into the built environment by transforming two vacant lots into a contributing part of the neighborhood.

IMPORTANCE OF THE PROJECT

This project will work to accomplish many things:

• Accessibility by creating an inviting and natural gateway into the community to improve way-finding to the community and surrounding attractions.
• Neighborhood Pride through preserving the identity of this unique neighborhood and reshaping unused spaces within the community.
• Sustainability will be achieved through a design that incorporates native trees and wildlife to preserve the natural landscape of the neighborhood.
• Sociability by incorporating community art with an interactive, functional theme to encourage thought and play.

THE DESIGN PROCESS

Beginning in October, KIB engaged with the neighborhood to discuss goals and a vision for the park. A steering committee attended several KIB workshops about engagement and implementation/maintenance, and has met several times to develop a design with design firm, Schmidt Associates. At two neighborhood meetings and on NextDoor, the design was shared for community input. The team looks to wrap up design work by the end of February and have a final design prepared for implementation by Spring 2015.

WORK STATUS

The Green Corridor pathway has been completed! Come check out the greenspace.

Connecting people to nature, creating vibrant places rooted in community and building lasting value by working together. Committed to creating vibrant places and communities, IPL Project GreenSpace is a grassroots effort that transforms vacant lots and underused spaces into natural, beautiful, and functional pocket parks and greenspaces for neighborhood. 

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Continued success of IPL Project GreenSpace depends on our sponsors and individuals like  you. Please consider donating to Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.

Categories: AES Indiana Project Greenspace